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Report on Ambae (Vanuatu) — 23 May-29 May 2018


Ambae

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 May-29 May 2018
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2018. Report on Ambae (Vanuatu) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 May-29 May 2018. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (23 May-29 May 2018)

Ambae

Vanuatu

15.389°S, 167.835°E; summit elev. 1496 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


On 18 May a news article noted that the eruption from a cone in Ambaeā€™s Lake Voui continued with minor activity at the vent. The article noted that widespread ashfall had significantly impacted food and water supplies, shelter, and the health of island residents. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 0-5), and the report reminded residents to stay at least 3 km away from the active crater.

Geological Summary. The island of Ambae, also known as Aoba, is a massive 2,500 km3 basaltic shield that is the most voluminous volcano of the New Hebrides archipelago. A pronounced NE-SW-trending rift zone with numerous scoria cones gives the 16 x 38 km island an elongated form. A broad pyroclastic cone containing three crater lakes (Manaro Ngoru, Voui, and Manaro Lakua) is located at the summit within the youngest of at least two nested calderas, the largest of which is 6 km in diameter. That large central edifice is also called Manaro Voui or Lombenben volcano. Post-caldera explosive eruptions formed the summit craters about 360 years ago. A tuff cone was constructed within Lake Voui (or Vui) about 60 years later. The latest known flank eruption, about 300 years ago, destroyed the population of the Nduindui area near the western coast.

Source: Daily Post